Sales of girls' toys drive Hasbro profits upward

The cat Monopoly token rests on a Boardwalk deed next to a die and houses at Hasbro Inc. headquarters, in Pawtucket, R.I. Hasbro Inc. reports quarterly financial results on Monday, April 21.

Steven Senne/AP Photo, File

The Associated Press

Published: Monday, April 21, 2014 at 10:45 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, April 21, 2014 at 9:20 a.m.

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Hasbro returned to profitability in its first quarter, driven by sales of girls' toys such as My Little Pony and Nerf Rebelle. The prior-year results were dragged down by restructuring charges.

Its latest earnings topped Wall Street estimates but revenue was short of what analysts expected. Its shares rose in light premarket trading.

Sales for the entertainment and licensing division rose 13 percent thanks to the inclusion of Backflip Studios. International sales increased 5 percent, led by Europe and Latin America. In the U.S. and Canada, sales edged down 1 percent.

The Pawtucket, R.I.-based company earned $32.1 million, or 24 cents per share, for the period ended March 30. That compares with a loss of $6.7 million, or 5 cents per share, a year earlier.

Stripping out favorable tax adjustments of 10 cents per share, earnings were 14 cents per share.

The year-ago period was pulled down by restructuring charges totaling 14 cents per share. It also had favorable tax adjustments of 4 cents per share a year ago.

Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected earnings for the latest period of 10 cents per share, on average.

Revenue edged up 2 percent to $679.5 million from $663.7 million, but missed Wall Street's estimate of $690.1 million.

<p>PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Hasbro returned to profitability in its first quarter, driven by sales of girls' toys such as My Little Pony and Nerf Rebelle. The prior-year results were dragged down by restructuring charges.</p><p>Its latest earnings topped Wall Street estimates but revenue was short of what analysts expected. Its shares rose in light premarket trading.</p><p>Sales of girls' products rose 21 percent. Sales of My Little Pony Equestria Girls dolls also resonated with customers.</p><p>The boys' category reported a 2 percent increase in sales, helped by Nerf and Marvel products. This was partially offset by weakening Beyblade sales.</p><p>Game sales fell 4 percent, hindered partly by declining sales of trading card game Duel Masters.</p><p>Sales of preschool products slipped 4 percent due to soft sales of core Playskool items.</p><p>Sales for the entertainment and licensing division rose 13 percent thanks to the inclusion of Backflip Studios. International sales increased 5 percent, led by Europe and Latin America. In the U.S. and Canada, sales edged down 1 percent.</p><p>The Pawtucket, R.I.-based company earned $32.1 million, or 24 cents per share, for the period ended March 30. That compares with a loss of $6.7 million, or 5 cents per share, a year earlier.</p><p>Stripping out favorable tax adjustments of 10 cents per share, earnings were 14 cents per share.</p><p>The year-ago period was pulled down by restructuring charges totaling 14 cents per share. It also had favorable tax adjustments of 4 cents per share a year ago.</p><p>Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected earnings for the latest period of 10 cents per share, on average.</p><p>Revenue edged up 2 percent to $679.5 million from $663.7 million, but missed Wall Street's estimate of $690.1 million.</p><p>Last week rival Mattel Inc. reported an unexpected first-quarter loss, hurt by soft Barbie sales and markdowns to clear excess inventory.</p><p>Hasbro Inc. shares climbed $2.39, or 4.4 percent, to $57 in premarket trading Monday about an hour ahead of the market opening. Its shares are down slightly so far this year.</p>